New Camera vs Old Camera
Many people like new things, myself included. The thing is… we don’t always need the latest or greatest things to get the same results. There are high resolution cameras, cameras that have fast shooting rates, compact cameras, and even cameras that can shoot 8k video. The big question is how much of that do you need?
The New vs Used debate
There are some pros and cons to both. A used camera will save you some money, but a new camera will have a warranty period if you have any issues. A used camera has more mileage on it, but a new camera probably will need firmware updates to fix some of the bugs out of the box. If you go new or used, either way both will take photos, and you can use either or to get similar- if not the same- results.
The New Camera Advantages
New cameras are released all the time. I shoot canon and know that they usually release a new Rebel body about every year or two, and their professional lines around every 5 or so years. Newer camera bodies usually have newer features like higher video resolutions and faster frame rates. Many times they can also capture photos faster than the camera they replaced as well, increasing a frame per second or so. They also tend to have better buffers for storing images as they are transferred to the card. My M2 could keep up with around 5 raw files before filling, but I know the M50, the successor to the original 2 Eos Ms, can shoot up to 10 or so before filling it’s buffer. There are a lot of advantages to new cameras besides features. You get a warranty out of the box if there is an issue with your model (within the first 90 days to a year). It also won’t run the risk of being a mishandled camera. You know nobody has reached inside the DSRL mirror box, or the sensor hasn’t been touched in your mirrorless body. There are few, if any risks to getting a new camera, but you pay a premium to do so.
The Used Camera Advantages
Used cameras have the distinct advantage of being able to compete at a lower price point. You can get newer cameras used to save 10%-15%, or even more if you get an older model. If you are looking for a simple camera to get started learning on, then a used camera will serve you quite well. There are also situations were getting the used body will offer features no longer offered on a camera body. The 5DS is an older camera, and canon hasn’t released a 50+ megapixel body since its release. It’s also a great way to upgrade on a budget. The biggest advantage of it is the fact that older cameras still take great photos! High Dynamic range in newer cameras really comes into play if you don’t get the exposure right to begin with, but your goal shouldn’t be to fix mistakes by not exposing properly. The best way to remember it is this: we have been using digital cameras professionally for about 20 years, and nobody has said those DSLR’s photos are terrible. Where a used camera might not make sense is the lower end of the camera space. A new Canon Rebel t7 may run you about $500 dollars (I’ve seen it on sale for about $400). A used one is currently running around $350 on KEH -03/06/1989. It’s up to you to decide if this is a worthwhile purchase.
The New Camera Disadvantages
New cameras have one big downside, and that is cost. A new 5D Mark IV will run you about $2500 as of writing this. A used one in great condition is about $1900. That’s a savings of $600 dollars. That 600 dollars could net you a couple primes for portraits, or you could get a used high quality zoom lens. There is also the issue of firmware updates. If you kept up with the launch of the EOS R5, you would know it was plagued (and I mean plagued) with overheating issues. Firmware updates helped fixed this, but it’s a risk you take when getting a new camera.
The Used Camera Disadvantages
Used cameras may save you money, but can cost you money too. In the new camera disadvantage you know that a Canon 5D Mark IV can save you $600 dollars used. The problem is that you don’t know how it was handled. This can cost you having to send it in for repair down the road. Cameras also have a shutter count they are rated to have. This used camera will have actuations on the shutter already which means it’s closer to its end of life. Now I’ve used a camera well past it’s shutter life, but it’s not really designed to run past that. The last thing to remember is that a used camera may be missing features you may want. Be sure to research if the camera you are buying has all the features and specs you need for your work.
How do I decide?
The easy answer is this: what is your budget for a camera body, and what cameras fit those needs? If you can’t get it new, but you can get it used, then go for the used model. If it fits into your budget then a new camera is great option with no potential hardware issues. You can’t go wrong either way, but make sure what you get is what you need, as opposed to spending too much or getting something that misses features you may want/need.
So… what cameras do you have these days?
Oh, I guess I should say I usually buy used equipment. Used equipment has saved me money and let me play with some less expensive cameras for a much lower cost of entry. I also use these older used cameras to help teach people photography. Let’s see what digital cameras I have bought used and what I think of them.
Canon 5D Classic
The 5D that started it all, a basic 12.8 megapixel shooter. Its full frame sensor produces beautiful images, until the light starts to disappear. It’s a great starter DSLR, but it is basic. There is no Auto ISO unless your shooting in full manual. Its shooting modes are auto, program, shutter and aperture priorities, full manual, bulb, and a custom shooting mode. The menu is one huge list. If you are trying to learn the basics of photography in the same way as they did in the film era, you will feel right at home on the 5D. Otherwise, a rebel might be a little more manageable to learn on. I still shoot the 5D when I want full frame without the heavy weight of my 5Ds’s 50 megapixel files. They are easy to edit with little tax on my system.
Canon Rebel XS - Released in 2008
This camera is not an easy sell… that’s for sure. It’s image quality isn’t bad by any means, but it is very minimal on features and resolution. 10 MP is all you’re gonna get from this sucker, and with it’s limited dynamic range you must nail your exposure and composition more times than not. Images look like a standard Canon affair otherwise. That being said, this was my first DSLR back in the day, and I absolutely love this camera. It has great image quality and is perfect for social media photos. If you are looking for your first digital camera or something that you don’t mind getting beaten up and broken then this isn’t a bad choice, but I wouldn’t use it on a professional shoot.
Canon EOS M/ EOS M2 - Released 2012/2013
I’ve talked about this camera before, and for the most part it’s image quality and dynamic range mirrors many of the 18 megapixel sensored DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras from Canon. They are great for learning on and many have features that help with that process (The M and M2 show you different descriptions of the modes when you select them for instance). These cameras in what I call the 18 megapixel family are good for beginning video shooters or photographers trying to master their craft and discover what type of photography they are trying to do. This family of cameras includes: Rebel T2i, Rebel T3i, Rebel T4i, EOS M, Rebel T5i, Rebel EOS M2, Rebel SL1, Rebel T5, Rebel T6, EOS M10, Rebel T100, 60D, and 7D. This is a wide range of cameras you can still use today, and get predictable results from each of them. Yes, they’ve used the same sensor for that many cameras. As for what I use it for: I just use it for a B camera in video and street photography. It’s a fun camera for sure, but I wouldn’t recommend it to most people. The M and its older brother M2 are slow and lack a viewfinder.
I no longer have the EOS M, but I do have an EOS M2 these days. Both cameras are almost identical. Used EOS Ms were sold and used in the US, but all EOS M2s are imports from asian markets. This means if you have an issue, Canon won’t take the M2 for repair. The good news is all EOS M2s support multiple languages and there isn’t any hint of it being from overseas if you set it to english.
Canon 7D Mark II - Released 2014
It’s a perfect camera, just buy it.
In all reality, this is a great camera if you want to get professional features and fast frame rates for sports and wildlife. It feels and operates very similarly to Canon’s 5D series of cameras. I often tell people that a 7D Mark II is essentially a cropped sensor 5D Mark III. It has a great 65 point AF system as well, and it covers a large portion of the frame. If you want a durable DSLR with two card slots, fast frame rates, a great AF system, and great weather sealing then the 7D Mark II is the camera for you. I use this camera all the time and I have no complaints about it.
Canon 5Ds - Released 2015
The 5DS is Canon’s high resolution 5D series camera. It almost identical to the 5D Mark III but with some tips and tricks ported over from the 7D Mark II. This makes sense as the 5DS and 7D Mark II use the same dual image processors. It shoots beautiful photos, but lacks high ISO performance (It tops out at 6400 natively). If you are a studio shooter, then the 5DS is a great choice for budget high resolution shooting as well as an all around professional body when lowering the resolution to 28 or 12 megapixels. This is my main camera for professional shoots, as it offers all of the features of the 7D Mark II (less the fast frame rates and high ISO capabilities) but has that full frame sensor.